September 2025 CDE Update for Superintendents and BOCES directors

Dear Superintendents and BOCES directors,

I hope your year is off to a strong start! As you know, August is always a big month for data releases for the Colorado Department of Education:

• On Aug.21, we released the assessment and growth data;
• On Aug. 27, we released district and school attendance data; and
• On Aug. 27, preliminary frameworks were released through Syncplicity.

The preliminary frameworks will be publicly released on CDE’s Performance Frameworks Results webpage or the school and district dashboard at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3

Every School Day Counts attendance campaign

With the new school year, we have updated the tools and resources available through our Every School Day Matters attendance campaign. To date, more than 50 schools and districts have joined the campaign, and we hope to increase that number this year. We also welcome you or representatives from your district to attend these upcoming learning opportunities:

• Join the 50% Reduction Challenge for monthly resources and a quarterly webinar kick off at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4.
• Register for a three-part e-training for Colorado educators from Attendance Works. Payment support is available for those who need it. Please reach out to Martha Fischhoff at fischhoff_m@cde.state.co.us.

Student discipline data release and district profiles

Last week, we shared embargoed data through discipline data respondents from the discipline data submissions. Please note that the data is embargoed until 9 a.m. today, Sept. 2. Our public release will only include posting this information to our website.

• You can view the Learning Environment District Profile Report on our website, including Frequently Asked Questions. The data will be updated within the profile reports after the data is released.

Change to the weekly updates

As you know, I’ve been sending weekly updates on Mondays, along with occasional notices when important information comes up. Starting now, updates will move to Wednesdays, and we’ll only send them when there’s news to share.

Our monthly superintendent call for September will be at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept 9. If you haven’t received an invitation, please let Chief Communications Officer Emma Garrett-Nelson know at garrett-nelson_e@cde.state.co.us.

Warm regards,

Susana

Dr. Susana Córdova
Colorado Commissioner of Education

Due 12/31/25: Training on preventing discrimination in schools required by SB 24-162

• SB 24-162 requires public schools to provide anti-discrimination training for all school employees.
• Training must be consistent with these best practices
• Contact for questions: Joanna Bruno at bruno_j@cde.state.co.us.

Help Shape Social Studies Assessments

• CDE is inviting educators to join a fall standard-setting meeting for the updated CMAS and CoAlt Social Studies assessments. We’re seeking teachers and administrators with expertise in grade 4 or 7 social studies, multilingual learners, or students with disabilities. Travel, meals, and substitute costs (or a daily honorarium) will be covered.
• Apply by mid-September: Registration Link.

Congratulations to Aurora and Westminster for Summer Food Service Program awards

• Aurora Public Schools and Westminster Public Schools won Silver Awards in the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2024 Turnip the Beet contest, which recognizes exceptional Summer Food Service Programs. Sponsors are encouraged to apply for the 2026 awards.

Webinar series on curriculum adoption and implementation

• This three-part series will focus on using our Curriculum Adoption and Implementation Guidance.
• Contact for questions: Tabitha Nickerson at nickerson_t@cde.state.co.us.

Media literacy resource bank available

• Visit our website for resources on the impacts of social media on physical and mental health and responsible use.

Expulsion hearing officer training requirement

• New expulsion hearing officers must complete a five-hour training within 30 days of starting their jobs. (This requirement applies only to new officers.)
• Contact for questions: Nicole Herrera at herrera_n@cde.state.co.us.

Preliminary frameworks to be publicly released on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

• Preliminary frameworks will be publicly released on Wednesday, Sept. 3, on CDE’s website and on the School and District Dashboard.
• CMAS, PSAT, SAT and WIDA Access and Growth were released last month.
• Contact: accountability@cde.state.co.us.

Deadline for Accreditation Forms is Sept. 26

• Based on the preliminary DPF and SPF reports, all districts must submit the Accreditation Form that is available on the Accreditation Portal within the UIP/ACI online system, indicating the district and local school board’s accreditation ratings for their schools by Friday, Sept. 26. This form also indicates a district's intent to participate in the request-to-reconsider process. More information is available on CDE’s website.

Unified Improvement Planning Update

• After preliminary frameworks are released on Sept. 3, the UIP system will be updated with state, federal, and program requirements, timelines, and assurances. These updates may affect areas such as biennial flexibility, math targets, or plans reviewed by CDE. We have fully transitioned to the new streamlined UIP template. Instructions on how to use the new template can be found on CDE's webpage. You may also reach out to the planning team at uiphelp@cde.state.co.us for support.
• Reminder: UIP submissions are due Oct. 15.

Guides available to help strengthen partnerships between families, students and educators

• Our supporting student success guides are now available for you to share with families of students at all grade levels.
• Contact for questions: Anthony Martin at martin_a@cde.state.co.us

Community of Practice opportunity about strengthening behavior and discipline systems

• Register now for a four-part CoP on aligning systems, reducing lost instructional time and building more equitable and supportive learning environments.
• Contact for questions: Andrea Pulskamp at pulskamp_a@cde.state.co.us.